A Group of Canadian Senators Awarded Themselves 47 Medals of Honor Meant for Unsung Heroes

The Royal Canadian Mint struck 1,500 medals designed to honor Canada’s “unsung heroes,” and somehow 47 senators became recipients of the prestigious award.

The $225,000 ($177,188 USD) batch of medals were created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Senate of Canada’s inaugural meeting which took place in 1867.

Ninety-three senators were given permission to dole out medals to twelve individuals who they believe better the country “through generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work.”

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However, as reported by the National Post, only 70 of the 93 senators opted to award medals.

Forty-seven of these senators decided their contributions to the community were worthy of an award.

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Conservative Senator David Wells, who chose to award himself a medal, told The Globe and Mail that the honor is “exclusively for people who have worked hard in their communities, made contributions, unsung heroes, people that generally go unnoticed.”

“Senators were also offered a medal as a recognition of their contribution to the Parliamentary debate over the last 150 years,” he continued. “I chose to receive (one), and I’ll have mine in my office so when people come to my office I’ll be able to use that as a way to discuss the Senate.”

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Senators Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy, who were suspended from Senate in 2013 over allegations of inappropriate expenses, were both awarded a medal for their heroic efforts.

Senate Liberal Jim Munson, an autism awareness advocate, also honored himself with an award.

“I’m proud of the work that I’ve done,” Munson said. “I was certainly not trying to pat myself on the back for anything, that’s for sure.”

Non-senators who received medals include Pearl and Sam King. The couple founded a food bank in their Newfoundland and Labrador home.

Ted Byfield, who created the No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation — a foundation designed to honor fallen military members — was also awarded a medal for his contributions to the community.

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In April, the Senate’s committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration voted on the medal program. Thirteen senators reportedly voted in favor of the program, while three voted against it.

Of the thirteen senators who voted in favor of the measure, nine awarded themselves a medal.